Notes and News – 05/15/21

Masks Now Optional in Worship!!

From the outset of the CoVID-19 Pandemic, our Session has chosen to listen to scientists and doctor for guidance and information with regard to decision-making. This past week the CDC has significantly relaxed the need for wearing a mask and remaining safe. For those who have been fully vaccinated there is no longer a need to wear a mask outdoors nor indoors. From my reading of several different articles is certainly appears many doctors and epidemiologists concur with this new step.

 The overwhelming majority of people joining us in worship have been fully vaccinated. With this in mind our Session has indicated the following for our in-person worship:

1.     Wearing of masks is optional.

2.     Anyone who would like to continue to wear a mask is welcome to do so.

3.     We would recommend and encourage anyone who is not fully vaccinated, to do so, but recognize this is a personal choice. Our recommendation and encouragement is rooted in our concern you’re your safety and well-being, nothing more, nothing less.

4.     Safe social distancing is recommended and encouraged.

5.     We will continue to “err” on the side of safety.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 05/09/21

Tomorrow We Celebrate Mother’s Day in Worship!!

Mother’s Day is much more than a Hallmark occasion. Like Thanksgiving, it is a time set aside to remember the person to whom each of us owes a special debt of gratitude. My late friend and colleague, Dr. Arthur Harvey preached for me on a Mother’s Day Sunday several years ago when Cinda and I were gone. His sermon title was 10 Things I Learned from My Mother.  In it he shared 10 passages from scripture that were his mother’s favorites and shaped both her life, Arthur’s and his siblings. I am certain everyone who was in church was blessed and suspect several people still remember one or more of the 10 passages he shared.

The impact of our mothers on all of us is far reaching. Social scientists are continually learning just how powerful and vital a mother’s love is for the healthy development and adjustment of each of us. It is certainly not the only factor but it is a very important one.

There is perhaps no more difficult and challenging role than that of a mother. And none of us had a “perfect” mother. All of them have their flaws and shortcomings. In other words, every mother is human. (Although some have been graced by such extraordinary mothers, they might argue the point.)

I confess it took me nearly 50 years to recognize my own mother’s specialness. She was tough in many ways, some just part of her inherited “German Genes” and a great deal because of the trauma of growing up as a teenage girl in WWII Germany. I think of her now with a mixture of awe, wonder, and appreciation. I am thankful I was able to share some of that with her in her later years.

My grandfather “smuggled” her to a convent in Belgium during the war to protect her from the SS troops who typically had they way with teenage girls. (He was sent to the Russian front at age 45 as punishment for being a good father). There she saved 2 little babies during an air-raid by covering them with her body during the bombing. She carried shrapnel in her hip for the rest of her life as a reminder of her life-saving deed.

She turned a sleepy, annual Saturday afternoon plant sale to raise funds for the Gladwyne Public Library into a major 3-day community event and all as a volunteer!  Over the course of her 27-year leadership and involvement she raised hundreds of thousands of dollars that benefited the community and especially children.

Among the gifts my mother passed on to me were focus and determination, passion for a goal, a commitment to serving the community, and a resilience to never give up or quit. Thank you, mom!

For most of us, our mothers have entered life eternal. Don’t let that stop you. My hope and prayer for each of us this Mother’s Day, 2021, is you will have some quiet time to express your appreciation to your mother, as you remember and reflect on the impact she has had on your life.  

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 05/01/21

Tomorrow We Return to In-Person Worship!!

After over a year, we are returning for our first in-person worship celebration in our sanctuary tomorrow, May 2nd , beginning at our “old” time - 10:25am.

As we return to in-person worship, we will continue to follow the lead of doctors and scientists stressing safety, with the wearing of masks and social distancing being required. We are committed to doing all we can do to ensure, to the best of our ability, a safe experience for all. We are also committed to “returning to normal” when it is safe to do so.

The schedule for each Sunday’s worship celebration is: 

10:05am EST – Sanctuary doors opened. Zoom link will be activated. If you join at this time, you see a live picture of our sanctuary. Although your device microphone and camera will be turned off, this will not impact you hearing and viewing the service.

10:10am EST – “Live” Zoom service link activated and music begins to play, allowing you to "join audio" and adjust volume prior to the service beginning. Again, even though your device camera and microphone will be off, this will not prevent you from hearing or seeing the service.

10:25am EST – Worship Celebration in Sanctuary and on Zoom recording begins.

As part of this service, we will be celebrating The Lord’s Supper. All you need if you are on Zoom is your own bread and juice.

There will be a Fellowship time on Zoom for all who would like to participate later on Sunday afternoon. This will begin at 1pm EST, typically lasting between 15 and 30 minutes.

I would like to thank Steve Braginton, Joan and Jeff Bryden, Cathy and Don Dekker, Barbara Harrell, and our son, Kevin, for all the many things they have done behind the scenes to get ready for tomorrow and make it possible for our return to in-person worship and zoom recording to happen.  I deeply appreciate all they and done and the joyous spirit in which they have done so much. I am awed and humbled to serve with them.  Thank you all!

I feel much like I did as a young boy on the day before my birthday – filled with anticipation and excitement.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 04/24/21

Just 8 Days from Today We Return to In-Person Worship!!

After over a year we are on the verge of returning to worship in-person in our sanctuary at 10:25am. In some ways this time apart has seemed more like a decade than 14 months. In other ways this year has flown by. But I suspect I speak for all of us when I say it has been a trying, painful time that has reminded us just how important human connection and community is.

When we return it won’t be quite the same as before ,but it will be meaningful, safe, and important. Here is what our website says:

Be Our Guest on Sunday

WE STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE EVERY SUNDAY

Beginning Sunday, May 2nd, we return to our in-person worship celebrations in our sanctuary. These services will also be offered “live” on Zoom or can be viewed later on our YouTube channel.

Our Sunday morning worship celebrations are traditional and reflect the informal atmosphere of the mid-western, Tampa Bay area of Florida’s west coast. 

As we return to in-person worship we will continue to follow the lead of doctors and scientists stressing safety, with the wearing of masks and social distancing being required. We are committed to doing all we can do to ensure to the best of our ability a safe experience for all. We are also committed to “returning to normal” when it is safe to do so.

The schedule for each Sunday’s worship celebration is: 

10:05am EST – Sanctuary doors opened. will be activated. If you join at this time, you will be in our waiting room.

10:10am EST – “Live” Zoom service link activated and music begins to play, allowing you to "join audio" and adjust volume prior to the service beginning. Although your device microphone and camera will be turned off, this will not impact you hearing and viewing the service.

10:25am EST – Worship Celebration in Sanctuary and on Zoom begins.

There will be a Fellowship time on Zoom for all who would like to participate later on Sunday afternoon. This will begin at 1pm EST and typically last for 15 to 30 minutes.

I hope you and visitors to our website find this helpful. I look forward to being able to say, “See you in church”.

Grace and Peace, John

In Person Worship Will Continue to Be Shown on ZOOM

We will continue to record and show our worship services on Zoom with our in-person worship. The only difference is that all of the service will be recorded “live” instead our present method. Nothing else will change. We have been working to get all the necessary technology and equipment in place to do this. A major portion of the cost will be offset by a special Peace River Presbytery “Virtual Church Grant”. This outreach is one of the blessings of this past year.

Notes and News – 04/18/21

Questions You May Have Returning to in-Person Worship:

What it will be like when we return to in-person worship. I will address question that have been shared with me or that I think you may have. If you have any additional questions or thoughts - please feel free to send them to: pastor@ppcfl.org or office@ppcfl.org.

1.      What time will our worship celebration start?

At 10:25am.

2.      Will there be the chance to see the service on Zoom?

Absolutely YES. You can follow the directions in the invitation which will be emailed out or go to our website (www.ppcfl.org) to view it at another time.

3.      Can I invite friends?

YES. All will be welcome.

4.      What is being done to make it as safe as possible?

Masks are required, temperatures will be taken, only the sanctuary entrance will be open, the seating in the pews will reflect social distancing, all door knobs and pews will be wiped down prior to the Sunday service, bibles and hymnals have been removed from the pews.

5.      What about the air conditioning?

We are looking at ways to “clean” the air before it recirculates in the sanctuary and hope to have something in place by May 2nd.

6.      What about singing?

We will be singing with masks on.

7.      What if someone has a temperature of 100 or greater?

They will be lovingly and firmly invited to return on a Sunday when they no longer have a temperature.

8.      What if I forgot my face mask or it breaks?

We will have masks available for any who need them.

9.      What time can I arrive?

Sometime between 10:10 and 10:25 should work well for most people.

10.  What if someone refuses to wear a mask?

They will be lovingly but firmly invited to return on a Sunday when masks are no longer required. We will welcome them at that time.

11.  Will there be a Sunday morning Bible Study?

No. We will continue with the Wednesday afternoon Bible study instead.

12.  How will we greet one another?

With an intentional and planned wave.

13.  Will we have Communion?

Yes. Pre-packaged cups and wafers will be available in the pews. We will celebrate Communion on May 2nd.

14.  Will there be an offering?

No. Offering plates will be at the entrance or you can continue to mail in your offering.

15.  Will there be a bulletin?

We will use the projector and screen in the sanctuary. This will also allow our virtual congregation to follow along during the service as well as remove the safety risk of bulletins and paper.

16.  Will there be a fellowship time?

Yes. The actual time has not yet been determined. It will be on Zoom and an invitation will be sent. Probably the most likely times will be between 1 and 2 on Sunday afternoons. The likely duration will be between 20 and 30 minutes.

17.  What if I am not yet vaccinated?

We would hope as many people as possible will be vaccinated because those will be the people who are the safest. However, it IS NOT at this point, a requirement for worshipping in-person. We will continue to listen to the doctors and scientists about this.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 04/10/21

Session Votes to Return to in-Person Worship: May 2, 2021

Our Session with unanimous consensus voted to return to in-person worship at 10:25am on Sunday May 2nd.  This decision to return to in-person worship is coupled with a firm commitment to do it a manner that provides, as best as we possibly can, for the health and safety of every person joining us for worship. This means we will be listening to the doctors and scientists, including the CDC, for guidance throughout the remainder of this pandemic. It also means we support the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and people being vaccinated. With that in mind our Session has also adopted the following requirements for all who will be worshiping with us in person:

1.     Prior to each Sunday worship celebration, the sanctuary entrance hand railings and door handles will be wiped done with disinfectant wipes.

2.     The only usable entranced to the church will be the front sanctuary entrance.

3.     Temperatures will be taken upon entering the sanctuary.

4.     The appropriate wearing of a mask will be mandatory (until the CDC says otherwise)

5.     Pews will be wiped down prior to the service just like the outside railings.

6.     The pews will be marked to show what seating is available. Only designated pews will be used, and a person or a couple will “fill” the pew. This will allow for appropriate social distancing and safe singing and participating in worship.

7.     Hand sanitizer will be available in every pew and by the front door.

8.     Restrooms will be available with social distancing and hand washing expected.

9.     Social distancing markings will be on the sanctuary entrance sidewalk and on the sanctuary carpet.

10.  Hymnals and Bibles will be removed from the pews until it is once again safe to use them. You are encouraged to bring your own Bible to church.

11.  We will use the sanctuary overhead projector and screen for our bulletin and hymns. This will give our in-home virtual worshipping family a better opportunity to follow along and participate.

12.  Until it is safe, we will use a “wave” to greet one another in lieu of or customary time of greeting and welcome.

13.   Offering plates will be available as you enter the sanctuary (or you may simply wish to mail in your offerings as you have been).

14.  When we celebrate The Lords Supper (as we will on May 2nd) we will have self-contained, pre-sealed communion cups and wafers in the appropriately designated pews.

I realize this list may at first seem a bit overwhelming. It really is not. I wanted to spell out as much as I could to give you the most accurate picture possible. Next week I will address some of the situations and questions that may arise when we return to in-person worship. If you have any  questions or thoughts - please feel free to send them to: pastor@ppcfl.org or office@ppcfl.org.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 04/03/21

Target Date to Return to in Person Worship: May 2, 2021

The question that has been on the hearts and minds of many in our congregation and community is when we return to worship in person. I believe I can speak for all of us when I say We are all eager to worship together again safely and joyfully.

The COVID-19 virus has had a painful impact on the life of our congregation. We understand that our virtual worship services only fill a portion of the worship void the COVID-19 situation has created. This past year of isolation has hurt everyone. As a church and as a society, we have been reminded again of the value and importance of human interaction and simple human touch.

The decision to return together to worship in person will be made with a commitment to the safety of our congregation and all who join us in worship. We are also committed to continuing our Zoom worship experience for those who cannot be with us in person. This outreach has been one of the blessings of this past year.

It appears with the growing list of people being fully vaccinated and the encouraging reports of the effectiveness of the various vaccines that our time apart is nearing its end. With this in mind we have set a TARGET DATE OF MAY 2, 2021 to resume in person worship.

In some ways the coming weeks will be the most challenging because the end of this ordeal is so close at hand. This is the time we must remain steadfastly committed to the values of safety and listening to the scientists and doctors for our guidance and not on our personal desires or what other churches may or may not be doing.

Our Thrift Store, which had been closed, is now open on a limited basis from 12noon to 3pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Temperatures are taken at the door, masks are mandatory, and social distancing is requested and expected.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 03/27/21

Update on Our Community Garden!

Last Saturday with the help of Jeff and Joan Bryden, Jan Baxter’s grandson Brian, Scott Kirschler, Brian Voye, our great neighbors, Chuck Sudvary and Dennis Lee, and Bruce Fox of Fox Excavation 5 trees (called popcorn trees and classified as an invasive, nuisance tree) were taken down, their stumps and roots taken out and piled in a line on the 10th Avenue side of the south lot. Bruce Fox did the lion’s share of the work with his equipment. This made the job much easier and far quicker. By Wednesday afternoon all the limbs, stumps and other debris were picked by the city. The big tree nearest 10th Avenue remains.

On Thursday morning Jeff Bryden and his neighbor picked up 3 Brogdon Avocado trees which were planted in Doug Dukes memory. These are avocados that you can not buy in the stores because they do no ship well. The season for these is July through September. It will be a season or two before these bear fruit but when it does happen, they will be delicious.  We will also be getting 3 or more avocado trees that yield their fruit into December. This will give us a longer harvesting season for avocados.

In addition to the avocado trees, we will be planting mango trees and some papayas (from seeds). We will also be planting some Meyer lemon trees and Naval orange trees in the containers that our avocado and mango trees came in. (We will be doing this to make them less susceptible to the things that kill citrus trees and easier to dispose of if they become infected). Our friend Mack from the Agricultural Extension Service is an incredibly helpful resource person and a joy to work with.

We will also be working on a gazebo with a picnic table for rest and fellowship on the north side of the garden. The next thing we will be doing is getting the required fence installed. There will also be a tool shed within the garden. There will be a composting area outside of the garden. Of course, there will be plots for gardens and educational classes and more. We have been working with Mack for nearly 2 years. What I am sharing is just an introduction. I expect this community garden will be much like our thrift store as a vital outreach to our community and an entry point into the life of our church.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 03/20/21

When One of us Suffers…

In the magnificent chapter on the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12) Paul is writing to the faction torn church in Corinth where various groups thought they were special, and others were less or even unimportant. He points out in verse 26 that when one member of the body suffers the whole body suffers and when one rejoices the whole body rejoices. To be sure, Paul was writing to a deeply divided church, but it would be a mistake to think what Paul was saying only applies to the church.  His wisdom includes not only the church - it can also be applied to all of humanity! Both in the church and beyond, we are deeply and profoundly connected to one another. We often may not recognize it, but the reality still holds true, when one person suffers, we all suffer. Just because we may not consciously realize it does not alter the reality – when any one of us (i.e., any human being) suffers, we all suffer. The same applies to joy, even if we do not recognize it.

I was reminded of the truth and power of this reality two times over the last 7 days. The first was a “community” funeral I led on Saturday. I did not know the person or her family at all. (The more I learned about her listening to others share at her service the more I wished I had known her.) But as I listened to their sharing, both the pain of loss and the joy of times shared, I found myself feeling both their joy and their sadness. We were all connected even though I didn’t know a single person there until a daughter-in-law and son called me late last week.  We were all connected even though the large gathering of people was about as varied as you could imagine.

The second time was the senseless murders of 8 people in Atlanta. Some are trying to paint this as the result of a sex addiction. The fact that all 3 establishments, where these murders took place were Asian-American, would seem to me to tell a different story. I am sure more will come out in the near future. From what I have learned so far, this tragic event appears to have the tell-tale marks of white supremacy and racism. It may or may not meet the legal definition of a hate crime. Regardless it was a crime of hate. And there is no reason that sex addiction and hatred can not both be motives. They are not automatically mutually exclusive.

Some might say I am becoming political and offering a certain viewpoint. This is simply not true! Hatred, violence, racism, bigotry, sexism and similar “isms” are not political issues they are moral issues. The biblical witness is grounded in the moral understanding that every person, regardless of skin color, sex, economic status or any other label we might chose, is a child of God and of infinite and precious worth in the eyes of God. This the only moral drumbeat worthy of our allegiance. This requires we see one another not as “us and “them” but as simply “us”.

One of the many things I appreciate about my friend, Bob Flesch, are the pictures he posts on Facebook of the magnificent sunsets over the Gulf and Bay. I find these posts are always a gift and a reminder that God’s creation is filled with many different colors and together they are breathtakingly beautiful. God’s use of color is all through creation from sunsets to flowers to people. And when they are in harmony it is a beautiful sight to behold!

Racism, Sexism, Bigotry, Violence and Hatred only lead to suffering and we all have suffered (some of course as direct victims, more intensely and more obviously) too long from their poison. Its time to chart a new course that yields joy instead. Not a one of us can do it all, but each of us can begin to make a difference by choosing to follow the ways of our Lord to value and respect every person we encounter. We are all “us”. We have been called to nothing less.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 03/13/21

A Bittersweet Moment

The first person at Palmetto Presbyterian Church I met was Janet DeGroff. Janet invited me to come preach for two Sundays in February 2010. Since my very first Sunday after my call in May of 2010 Janet has been a faithful confidant, friend, and person I have grown to deeply love and respect. On more occasions than I can count we have teased one another, and our friendly banter almost always includes some joyous laughter. Many times, I have sought Janet’s wisdom, council and insight for virtually all aspects of the life of our church here in Palmetto. She has always been gracious and supportive.

As a pastor, I could ask for no better or more faithful church member. Janet’s impact on the life of this church and the greater Palmetto community is far reaching and powerful. She has been one of Anchor House’s most faithful Friday volunteers, she's been a faithful and loyal thrift store volunteer, served as our clerk of session for several years, helped with communion and kept the communion table candles filled with oil for Sunday services, been a key leader and member of the Presbyterian Women, and a tremendously loyal participant in our weekly Bible studies among other things. On several occasions during the summer months Janet and I we're the only two people in the Sunday morning Bible study. On these days I have fond memories of wonderful discussions, a good amount of laughter, and powerful times of reflection and sharing.

However, what I appreciate most about Janet is the depth of her faith and powerful commitment to prayer and her spiritual growth and life. Prayer is not an afterthought for Janet it is a first thought. Whenever faced with an important decision, Janet begins the process in deep reflective prayer. She does not make decisions quickly but rather listens for our Lord's leading when faced with important decisions. She takes to heart and lives by the reality of these words, “not my will but thy will be done”. Her resulting character and integrity are a model for us all.

Over the past months Janet and I have had conversations about where the Lord was leading her. After a several month process of prayer and reflection, Janet understood that leading to become a member of Palma Sola Presbyterian Church in Bradenton. I very much respect and support Janet’s decision and wish for her God’s very best in this next chapter of her journey of faith. I also know I will deeply miss seeing and interacting with her on the regular basis we have enjoyed over the last 12 years. And I am absolutely certain many, many of you will agree.

This, for me, is a bittersweet time. One thing I have learned over the last 45 years, is the ministry is filled with bittersweet moments. But I have also learned these bittersweet moments also hold the opportunity for wonderful personal and spiritual growth. I trust the same will be true for this one as well.

God’s speed, Janet my friend. And for all you have meant to this family of faith here in Palmetto, I say of behalf of us all, “Well done good and faithful servant!”.

Grace and Peace, John